Water-current motor.



PATENTED EEE. 1T, 190.8. J. A. CAMERON.

WATER CURRENT MOTOR.

APELIOATION FILED APE. 29, 1907. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 @3T/XT,

UMQM" E? 4 No. 878,608. PATENTED FEB. 11, 1908.

" J. A.- CAMERON.

WATER CURRENT MOTOR. APPLIoATIoN FILED APB. 29, 1907.

' 2 SHEETS-ann.

JAMEs A. CAMERON, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

WATER-CURRENT MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 11, 1908.

` Application led April 29| 1907. Serial No. 371.008.

-To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. CAMERON, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Current Motors, of which the following is a specification.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form of water current motor which is inde endent of the rising and falling of the level o the stream and which is adapted to transmitv power from the current of a stream of water and to operate automatically; to provide operating mechanism for devices of this class whereby power may be efficiently transmitted by paddles and whereby a power transmitting paddle may be alternately exposed to the pressure of a current and then returned to its starting point above the water regardless of the pressure of ordina o osing winds.

yfuifher object is to provide in a device of this class `an arrangement of operating mechanism whereby a pair of cooperating paddles ma be alternately introduced into the .stream 'or transmitting power therefrom and shall operate in such manner that the action of the current on one of the paddles will return the other paddle to its starting position and store up sufficient power to lift the first paddle from the water and insert theother. l accomplish these objects by the device shown in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a float provided with a water current motor constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the spring mechanism which controls the device for operating the paddles, the supporting frame and paddle mechanism being broken away. Fig. 4 is a top plan of one of the dogs of the manipulating mechanism. Fig. 5 is a top plan of another form of dog. Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the spring catches for engaging the vertical guide rods which cause the paddles to descend in a vertical path in entering the water. v

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail showing the detents which control the movement of the link 12 by means of which the balance beams are oscillated.. i

In the construction shown in the drawings,

' the power transmitting mechanism is mounted in a supporting frame which is in turn sup- The main supporting frame consists of a pair ported by a fioat 1 adapted to be moored in a stream and to float upon the surface thereof, so as to maintain the supporting frame in fixed relation to the surface of said stream.

of parallel horizontal beams 2 supported by uprights 3 from the lioat 1. In the drawings only the main elements of the framework arek shown, and all auxiliary parts, such as cross bars, tie rods, and struts, whose function is 6 merely that of strengthening the main parts, are omittedfor the sake of clearness.

The beams 2 extend beyond the float at each end in the direction of the flow of the current, and the paddle mechanisms are mounted at the ends of such overhanging parts of the frame. Each paddle mechanism consists of a pair of similar balance beams 4 pivotally mounted in axial alinement with each other connected at their corresponding ends by swinging paddle frames or arms 5 and 5, which respectively carry curved paddles 6 and 6. The frames 5 consist of parallel side bars connected by a crossbar 9. The frames 5 have a similar crosspiece 9. Each balance beam is pivotally mounted at 10 at the middle of its length and. has a depending arm 11 rigidly connected thereto and disposed radially of the pivotal axis. The arms 11 of one pair of balance beams are connected with the corresponding arms of the other pair by means of a link 12, whichy is pivotally connected with cross shafts 13 connecting the lower ends of each pair of arms 11. The link 12 insures that the balance beams at each end 'of the device are similarly disposed and operated simultaneously. Said link also serves to shift the balance beams for raising and lowering the paddles. A 9

A pair of horizontally disposed shift rods 14 extend longitudinally of the stream and in parallel relationship to each other and are suspended by links 15 which are pivotally hung at 16 in the supporting frame. shift rods 14 are provided with upwardly disposed lugs 17 and 17 for engaging the cross-bars 9 and 9 of the paddle frames. A

third shift rod 18 extends between and a 14. The rod 18 is hung by links 19 which are pivotally mounted to swing in the supporting frame in a manner similar to the shift rods 14. The rod 18 is provided with dowri-l l wardly extending lugs 20 and 20 which are' :1

The roo considerable distance above the shift rods arranged in suitable positions for engaging the cross-pieces 9 and 9 when their respective paddles are in the raised position,

The rods 14 are rigidly connected by cross-pieces so as to form a single frame and said cross-piecesare connected by a central longitudinal rod 14. The shift rods 14 and 18 are caused to move in opposite directions by means of a lever 21, which is pivotally mounted at 22 in a part 23 of the supporting iframe and `which extends loosely through the members 24 in the rods 14 and 18. The lever 21 has a third arm extending at right angles with the arms which engage the rods 14 and 18. Said third arm is connected by a link 25 with a pump lever 26 ulcrumed at 27 on the supporting frame and connected at its other end with the rod 28 of a pump 29.

The plunger of the pump 29 is normally urged into its lowest position by means of a tension spring 30 connecting the rod 28 and the top of the pump casing. The function of this spring will be hereinafter described.

The link 12 is pivotally connected at a point intermediate of its ends with a lever 31 which is hinged to a cross-bar 32 of the supporting frame. A pair of other levers 33 and 33 are hinged to a cross-piece 34 in the supporting frame but are free at' their lower ends. The bar 14 is'provided with a dog 35 which is of a peculiar construction and is arranged to alternately engage the levers 33 and 33. This dog is shown in detail in Fig. 5. The dog 35 is pivoted at 36 and normally held in a position of alinement with the bar 14 by means of the spring 37. The dog 35 is shaped ysomewhat in the form of an arrow head and has a pair of wings 35 and 35 each inclined at such angle with the other that springs, other being hidden by the part 23. 41 of these when one of said wings engages its corresponding lever 33 or 33, the pressure oi the lever on the inclined face of the wing will swing the dog on its pivotal axis anextent sufficient to withdraw the other wing from the path oit' the other lever. As soon as the dog 35 is released from engagement with one of the levers its spring 37 returns it to its middle position, when it is in position to be engaged by either lever.

The part 23 of the supporting frame is preferably constructed ci three parallel pieces secured together and spaced apart so as to form guide-ways for the levers 33, 33 and 31, as is seen in Fig. 3. The part 23 is provided with a pair of sprin pressed dogs 38 and 38 which respectively old the levers 33 and 33 at their right hand limit of movement. The dogs 38 and 38 are shown in detail in Fig. 4. The dogs 38 and 38 are pivotally connected at 39, respectively above and below the part 23, and are normally urged into the positions shown in Fig. 4 by one of which is shown at 40, the The part dogs which is at the left of the extended as shown in the drawings.

pivotal axis is so formed that the passage of one of the levers toward the ri ht will release the corresponding dog from t e other lever. The lever 33 is connected directly with the lever 31 by means of a cord or chain and tension spring 42. The lever 33 is connected by means of a chain and tension spring 43 with an intermediate lever 44, which has its opposite end connected with the lever 31 by means of a link 45. This arrangement causes the lever 31 to be swung toward the' right when the lever 33 moves toward the right and to be swung toward the left when the lever 33 moves toward the right. The lever 31 is locked at either limit of its movement by means of the spring pressed dogs 46 and 46. These dogs are urged into their operative positions by means of springs and are mounted upon the part 23 in a manner somewhat similar to that of the dogs which have already been described. The dog 46 is connected by means of a chain 47 with the lever 33 and the dog 46 is similarly connected by means of a cord 27 with the lever 33.

The supporting frame is extended at each end by means of a horizontally disposed bar 49 which is rigidly secured to the other parts of the frame. Each bar 49 has rigid thereon a pair of vertically disposed depending guide rods 50 and 50. and 9 of the paddle frame has mounted at its middle part a hook 51. This hook is best seen in Fig. 6 and is pivotally connected to the cross-bar and normally urged into a position for engaging the guide rod by means of a spring 52. The end of the hook 51 which is connected with the cross-bar is suitably formed to provide a stop 53 for preventing the said hook from swinging beyond its proper position for engagement with the guide rod.

The operation of the device shownis as follows: Assume that the various parts are in the positions shown by full lines in the drawings. 1t will be noted that the paddles 6 are immersed and are near the end of their Each of the cross-pieces 9 movement in the direction of the current,

which direction is indicated by arrows in Fig. 1. At this time the pump rod is near its uppermost position and the spring 3() is The paddles 6 are near the limit of their return movement and are ready to be lowered into the water. The rods 14 have been moved to the right through engagement of the crossbars 9 with the lugs 17, while the paddles 6 have been carried to the right by the current. This movement of the shift rods 14 causes the dog 35 to swing the lever 33 and exerts a tension upon the spring 43. This tension is resisted by means of the dog 467 through the action of the levers 44 and'31 and their connecting link 45. As soon as the paddle dog 38 falls into position for engaging the lever 33 as in Fig. 3. As the lever 33 arrives at the proper position for being engaged by the dog 38, the tensionon the cord 47 has become sufficient to withdraw the dog 46 and release the lever 31. This lever, under' the action of the spring 43, swingsto the left until engaged by the dog 46. The lever 31 in'swinging to the left carries with it the link 12 and causes the balancebeams 4to swing move the shift rods 14 to the left and at the same time moves the rod 18 to the right. The shifting of the rods 14 brings the lugs 17 into position for engaging the erossbars 9 after the paddles 6 enter the water. The

shifting of the rod 18 toward the right brings the lugs 20 `to positions at the right of the cross-bars 9, which have now arrived at positions close to the under side of the shift rod 13. The shift rods 14 carry the dog 35 away from the lever 33 and into a position of engagement with the lever 33. Action of the current upon the paddles 6which are now immersed causes said paddles to move to the right and, through engagement of the cross-bars 9 with the lug 1,7, again shifts the rods 1 4 toward the right. This shifting causes the lever 21 to swing on its pivot 22 raising the pump rod, and stretching the spring 30. ward the left and through contact of the lugs 20 with the cross-bars 9 swings the paddles 6 toward the left above the surface of the water and until the hook 51 engages the guide 50. The movement of the shift rod 14 to the right' has also caused the dog 35 to carry the lever 33 toward the right until engaged by the dogY 38. The movement of the lever 33 to the right stretches the spring 42 and urges the lever 31 toward the right. The dog 46 prevents movement of the lever 31 until the lever 33 has almost reached its limit of movement toward the right and is about to become engaged by the dog 38. At this time the tension upon the chain 47 withdraws the dog 46 and releases the lever 31. As the lever 33 passes the part 41 of the dog 38, it causes said dog to release the lever 33. The movement of the lever 31 toward the right carries the link 1.2 in the same direction and causes the rocking of the balance beams 4, thereby causing the paddles 6 to reenter the water'and lifting the paddles 6 out of the water.

The descent This also shifts the rod 18 to? 91 are released from engagement with the lugs 20 and the cross-pieces 9 are released fromthe lugs 17, whereupon the spring 30 causes the rods 14 to shift to the left and carries the rod 18 to the right. The action of the stream now moves the paddles 6 to the right and, through the action of the crossbar 9, shifts the shift rods 14 and again sets the spring mechanism, while the contact of the lugs 2O with the cross-bars 9 carries the paddles 6 toward the left above the water. During each downstream stroke of the paddles one of the springs 42 and 43 stores up enough power to tilt the balance beam at the end of the stroke. This cycle of operations repeats itself automatically. The path of each paddle during said cycle of operations is like the path which is indicated by dotted lines at the left of Fig. 1. The reciprocation of the pump rod 28 may be used for pumping water or the device may be used for driving other mechanisms by substituting such mechanism for the pump 29. The device may be stopped by shifting the movable stop 54 upwardly so as to engage the lug 55 and prevent the return to the left of the rod 12. The means for shifting the stop 54 and securing the same in either of its limiting positions are not shown in the drawings but may be cords leading to and operated from the shore.

The paddles 6 and 6 are curved and are so disposed on their arms that, throughout the range of their movement when immersed,

A the resultant pressure of the current thereon will be in such direction that it will have no component directed upward along the arm and tending to oscillate the beam so as to lift the paddle out of the water. or dogs which engage `the arm 31 prevent either wind pressure or the effect of the current from at any time causing any tilting whatever of the balance beams except when the operating mechanism withdraws the detents at the time that the paddles are at the extreme ends of their strokes. The-elimination of upward thrust along the paddle arms prevents undue strain upon the beam controlling mechanism and makes it possible to use a lighter construction than 'would be required if such upward thrust were present.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a pair of depending arms -mounted to oscillate on said frame and each arranged to counterbalance the weight of the other,paddles secured to the lower ends of said arms, mechanism for presenting said paddles alternately to the action of the current, mechanism for causing each of said paddles to move in a direction opposite to the current of the stream when lifted therefrom, and mechanism for `transmitting power from said paddles.-

The detents 2. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a horizontally disposed balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, a pair of depending arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam, paddles secured to the lower ends of said arms, mechanism for rocking said beam to present said paddles alternately to the action of the current, mechanism for causing each of said paddles to move in a direction opposite to the current of the stream when lifted therefrom, and mechanism for transmitting the power imparted to said paddles lby the current.

3. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a horizontally disposed balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, a pair of depending arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam, paddles4 secured -to the lower ends of said arms, mechanism for rocking said beam to present said paddles alternately to the action of the current, mechanism for causing each of said paddles to move in a direction opposite to the current of the stream when lifted therefrom, and mechanism for transmitting the power imparted to said paddles by the current, each of said paddles being adapted while immersed to furnish power for returning the other paddle to its initial position in the stream.

4. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a horizontally disposed balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, a pair of depending" arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam, paddles secured to the lower ends of said arms, mechanism for rocking said beam to present said paddles alternately to the action of the current, mechanism for causing each of said paddles to move in a direction opposite to thecurrent ofthe stream when lifted therefrom, and mechanism for transmitting the power imparted to said paddles by the current, said rocking mechanism comprising means for holding said beam stationary while one of said paddles is immersed, and means for shifting the beam to the opposite inclination to immerse the other paddle when the first paddle has been moved a certain distance by the current.

5. In a current motor, the combination of a Hoat, a balance beam mounted to oscillate on said float and overhanging the water, a

. pair of paddles suspended from opposite ing the other of said paddles from the stream,.

said paddles being adapted to be moved by the current when submerged, and mechanism connecting said paddles and adapted to cause the submerged paddle to move the other in the opposite direction.

6. In a current motor, the combination of a frame overhanging a stream, a horizontally disposed balance beam mounted to oscillate between certain limits on said frame, a air of paddles suspended from opposite en s of said balance beam and movable thereon, spring mechanism for intermittently oscillating said beam from one limiting position to the other for alternately inserting one and -withdrawing the other of said paddles from the stream, said paddles being adapted to be moved by the current when submerged,

.mechanism connecting said paddles and adapted to cause the submerged paddle to move the other in the opposite direction, means for setting said spring mechanism through the movement of the submerged paddle, and means for releasing said spring mechanism for shifting said beam when the submerged paddle has moved a certain distance.

7. In a current motor the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a horizontally disposed balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, depending paddles movably mounted at opposite ends of saidbeam, an arm rigid on said beam and extending transversely thereof, a lever mounted to oscillate in said frame on an axis parallel to the axis of said beam, a link connecting said lever and arm, and mechanism connected to said lever and adapted to alternately swing said beam in 'opposite directions for alternately inserting and withdrawing the paddles from the stream, said mechanism being operated by the action of the current of said stream upon the paddles.

8. In a current motor, the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame on a horizontal axis, depending arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam and each having at its lower end a paddle, mechanism for oscillating said beam for presenting said paddles alternately to the action of the stream, a shift rod adapted to engage one of saidarms when its respective paddle is submerged and transmit the power therefrom, a second shift rod adapted to engage the other arm and carry the paddle on said otherarm in a direction opposite to the current of a stream while said paddle is raised, and mechanism for returning said shift rods to their initial position when released from engagement with said arms.

9. In a current motor, the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame on a horizontal axis, depending arms pivotally hung at oppositer ends of ends o lower end a paddle, mechanism for oscillating its paddle is submerged and transmit the power therefrom, a second shiftrod adapted to engage each of said arms when its paddle is raised from the stream, and mechanism connecting said shift rods for causing the same to move in opposite directions whereby when one paddle issubmerged and moved by the current, the other will be moved in a direction opposite to the current.

10. In a current motor, the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame on a horizontal axis, depending arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam and each having at its lower end a paddle, mechanism for oscillating said beam between certain limitsfor presenting said paddles alternately to the action of the current, said paddles being adapted to be swung on their axes by the current and said mechanism being adapted to shift said beam to the opposite limit of its movement when either `paddle has been moved a certain distance by the current, a shift rod adapted to engage eachof said arms when its paddle is submerged and transmit the power therefrom, a second shift rod adapted to engage each of said arms when its paddle is raised from the stream, mechanism connecting said shift rods for causing the same to move in opposite directions whereby when one paddle is submerged and moved by the current, the other will be moved in a direction opposite to the current.

` 11. In a current motor, the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame on a horizontal axis, de-

pendin arms pivotally hung at opposite ig said beam and each having at its said beam between certain limits for presenting said paddles alternately to the action of the current, said paddles being adapted to be swung on their axes by the current, a shift rod adapted tov engage each of said arms when its paddle is submerged and transmit the power therefrom, a second shift rod adapted to engage each of said arms when its paddle is raised from the stream, mechan-y ism connecting said shift rods for causing the same to move in opposite directions whereby when one paddle -is submerged and moved by the current, the other will be moved in a direction opposite to the current, and means for automaticallyreturning said shift rods to positions for engaging-the other paddle arms when said beam is oscillated.

12. In a current motor, the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame on a horizontal axis, depending arms pivotally hung at opposite ends of said beam and each having at its lower end a paddle, mechanism for oscillating said beam between certain limits for presenting said paddles alternately to the action of the current, said paddles being adapted to be swung on their axes by the current, a shift when its paddle is submerged and transmit the power therefrom, a second shift rod adapted to engage each of said arms when its paddle is raised from the stream, mechanism connectingsaid shift rods for causing the same to move in opposite directions whereby when one paddle is submerged and moved by the current, the other will be moved in a direction opposite to the current, and a spring opposing the movement of said shift rods and adapted to return the same to certain initial positions when released from said arms through the oscillation of said beam.

13. In a current motor the combination of a frame, a balance beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, paddles movably hung at opposite ends of said balance beam, and

paddles in a direction opposite to the current.-

of the stream when such paddle is withdrawn from the stream, and guides for di-` recting the entrance of said paddles into the stream.

14. In a current motor, ythe combination of a frame mounted above a stream of water, a horizontally disposed beam mounted to 0scillate in said frame, a depending arm pivotally hung to oneend of said beam and having thereon a paddle adapted to dip into the stream and swing said arm through the action of Vthe current thereon, vmechanism adapted to swing the beam and raise the paddle out of the water when it arrives at a certain downstream position, a movable detent for preventing the tilting of said beam, and meansvoperated by said paddle for withdrawing said detent when the paddle arrives at said certain downstream position.

15. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream of water, a

horizontally disposed beam mounted to oscillate in said frame, a depending arm pivotally hung to one end of said beam and having thereon a paddle adapted to dip into the stream and swing said arm through the action of the current thereon, spring mechanism arranged to be set by the movement of thereon a paddle adapted to dip into the -stream and swing said arm through the acsaid mechanism comprising means for preventing the tilting of said beam during the downstream stroke of the paddle until said paddle arrives at said certain downstream position.

17. In a current motor, the combination of a supporting frame, mounted above a stream mounted to oscillate on said frame, a depending arm pivotally connected to one end of said beam and having thereon a paddle adapted to dip into the stream and cause said arm to be swung by the current, and means acting between the paddle arm and said beam and adapted to store power during the downstream stroke of the paddle and to swing the beam and raise the paddle out of the water when it arrives at a certain down- 'stream position.

18. In a current motor, the combination of a supporting frame mounted above a stream of water, a horizontally disposed beam mounted to oscillate on said frame, a depending arm pivotally connected to one end of said beam and having thereon a paddle adapted to dip into the stream and cause said arm to be swung in one direction by the current, mechanism for returning said paddle to a certain upstream position when it is liftedfrom the water, means for automatically tilting said beam for presenting the paddle to the action of the current when it arrives at said certain upstream position and for withdrawing it from 'the stream when it reaches a certain downstream position, a detent arranged to prevent said beam from tilting to permit the lifting of the paddle during its downstream stroke, and means operated by the paddle for withdrawing said detent when the paddle arrives at said certain downstream position.

19. In a current motor, the combination of paddles mounted to counterbalance each other, rocking mechanism for intermittently moving said' paddles vertically andv alternately presenting them to the stream, each of said paddles being moved with the current of the stream when immersed, means adapted to move said paddles opposite to the current of the stream when lifted therefrom, and mechanism for transmitting the power of said paddles.

20. In a current motor, a paddle mounted to dip into the current of a stream and be moved therewith, means for raising said paddle from the current when it arrives at a certain downstream position, means for moving said paddle in the opposite direction to the stream, when raised, and mechanism comprising parts which intermittently engage and disengage each other for transmitting the power therefrom.

21. In a current motor, a counterbalanced paddle mounted to dip into the current of a stream and be moved therewith, means for raising said paddle from the current when it arrives at a certain downstream position, means for moving said paddle in the opposite direction to the stream, when raised, and mechanism comprising parts which intermittently engage and disengage each other for transmitting the power therefrom. of water, a horizontally disposed beam 22. I'n a current motor, a counterbalanced paddle mounted to dip into and be moved by va water current, and free to move in the opposite direction to the current when disengaged therefrom, mechanism for transmitting power from said paddle and comprising means for engaging said paddle with said power transmission means when it reaches a certain upstream position in the current and for disengaging said paddle from said power transmission means when i-t reaches a certain downstream position.

23. In a current motor, a paddle mounted near a stream of water, means for immersi-ng said paddle in the stream and causing it to be moved therewith, said paddle being movable in the opposite direction of the current when removed therefrom, power transmission means driven by said paddle and adapted to automatically engage said paddle when it is immersed in the current, and to be disengaged therefrom when said paddle is removed from the stream.

24. The combination of a frame adapted to overhang a stream of water, depending paddles on said frame mounted to counterbalance each other and arranged to move in opposite directions to each other, means causing said paddles to alternately enter and be withdrawn from the stream, and mechanism comprising parts which intermittently engage 4and disengage each other for transmitting power therefrom. 25. The combination of a frame adapted to overhang a stream of water, paddles mounted on said frame to counterbalance each other and arranged to move in opposite directions to each other, means causing said paddles to alternately engage and be disengaged from the stream, lmeans for guiding said paddles in their movements to and from the stream, and means for transmitting power from said paddles.

26. The combination of a frame adapted to overhang a stream of water, paddles mounted on said frame to counterba'lance each other and arranged to move in opposite directions to each other, means causing said paddles to engage alternately with the stream, means for transmitting power from said paddles, and means for engaging said paddles iis with said power `transmission means when they are at a certain upstream position and for disengaging them when at a certain downstream osition.

27. he combination of'a frame adapted to overhang a stream of water, paddles mounted on said frame to counterbalance each other and arranged to move in opposite directions to each other, means causing said paddles to alternately engage and disengage with the stream, guiding means for directing said paddlesnwhen disengaged from the current, and means for transmitting the power from said paddles.

28. In a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a depending arm having thereon a paddle, means counterbalancing the weight of said paddle, means pivotallywsu orting said arm and being vertically movaliile on said frame for alternately presenting and withdrawing said paddle to and from the stream, said arm being mounted to permit said paddle to be swung by the current of the stream, means for returning said paddle to an upstream position when withdrawn from the stream,

mechanism adapted to raise said supporting means for lifting the paddle from the stream when it arrives at a certain downstream position, said paddle being s o disposed on said arm as to exert a downward pull upon said arm through the pressure of the current thereon throughout its stroke.

29. In a current motor, the combination 1 of paddles mounted to counterbalance each nately presenting them to a stream, each of said paddles being moved with the current of the stream when immersed, means adapted to move said paddles opposite -to the current of the stream when lifted therefrom, said rocking mechanism being ada ted to operate for lifting each of said padd es from the stream whenever such paddle arrives at a certain downstream position, said paddles v being so disposed with respect to the current that each will exert a downward pull and tend to remain submerged throughout the entire range of its stroke when submerged in the stream.

30. ln a current motor, the combination of a frame mounted above a stream, a hori- Zontally disposed beam mounted to oscillate on lsaid frame, a depending arm pivotally connected to said beam and having thereon 'a paddle adapted to dip into the streamyand be swung by the current, means acting between said paddlearm and said beam and adapted to store power during the downstream stroke of the paddles and to swing the beam and raise the paddle out of the water when it arrives at a certain downstream position, said paddle being so disposed on said arm as to exert a downward pull through the pressure of the current `thereon throughout the entire range of its l MORAE. 

